It is an interesting idea to have a minimal cell phone plugged into other electronic gadgets.
With the "basic" cell phone function taken out and made into a stand-alone module, it is possible to make any electronic device into a cell phone by "linking" the two. A cell phone enables its user to receive voice calls and have data connections. It is a "driver license" for a subscriber to use the network. Nowadays cell phone manufacturers want to make your cell phone to be your movie/MP3 player, camera, portal computer, and also your credit card. But a cell phone can not have the best user experience for everything at the same time. A bigger screen is always better for movie viewing and Internet browsing. A full-size keyboard or hand writing pad will make input easier. A better lens and CCD make a better camera. Those special purpose devices will always provide a better user experience.
I like this modular-cell-phone idea a lot, but not the idea of "plug-in", even if it uses a standard interface. It immediately eliminates combined use cases. One or two extra wireless connections will make the usability much better. Some people may have doubts about the need to bring more things than just "one phone". I don't think this will be a problem. Since it is as small as a credit card, it will mostly likely always be in your wallet, pocket, or purse. All you need to bring is your ear piece or the electronic gadget that you would bring with you anyway.
There are already blogs discussing similar ideas and even companies dedicated to this idea. You can search the web and see for yourself. My recommendation to those companies is to stick with near-term use cases and take the product off the ground. Those futuristic use cases will realize when time comes. And those futuristic use cases can disrupt and renew the industry profoundly.
I like this modular-cell-phone idea a lot, but not the idea of "plug-in", even if it uses a standard interface. It immediately eliminates combined use cases. One or two extra wireless connections will make the usability much better. Some people may have doubts about the need to bring more things than just "one phone". I don't think this will be a problem. Since it is as small as a credit card, it will mostly likely always be in your wallet, pocket, or purse. All you need to bring is your ear piece or the electronic gadget that you would bring with you anyway.
There are already blogs discussing similar ideas and even companies dedicated to this idea. You can search the web and see for yourself. My recommendation to those companies is to stick with near-term use cases and take the product off the ground. Those futuristic use cases will realize when time comes. And those futuristic use cases can disrupt and renew the industry profoundly.
